Any (classical) singers out there?

Hey there,

I am new to this site (joined last Saturday). I am in the process of figuring out what to do about my 9.2 cm posterior intramural symptomatic fibroid. I am leaning toward going for a laparoscopic myomectomy first and seeing how that goes first. It will be converted to an abdominal if things don't go well, I am on the borderline for lapro success because of the fibroid size.

Anyway, I was wondering if it would be possible to connect with anyone who might also be a classical singer. There are some big considerations I have to make like anesthesia (I don't qualify for an epidural) and avoiding Lupron. There aren't too many GYNs/Urogyns who have steady experience treating singers. I would really love to hear your advice on such matters if you are comfortable doing so.

Thank you very much!!!

s to ALL HysterSisters!!!

Sincerely,

-divetta

Hi Divetta,
I am a musician and although I sing, I am mostly an instrumentalist who does some folk singing...my surgery was sudden, and I didn't even think about how general anesthesia might affect my vocal cords. My girlfriend told me later that she always requests a child-sized breathing tube for surgeries (she's had 7 operations in 10 years). By the way, I didn't even have a sore throat after surgery--I've had more trouble re-learning how to use my diaphragm muscles to sing, but I am okay now.
Blessings to you,

Hi Joma,

thanks for replying! Good suggestion on the child-sized tube and...WOW 7 surgeries is a lot! I hope you and she are ok!! I hope you feel great and are singing!!!

with much gratitude for your response,

Wow divetta, good point!

I lead a five-part a cappella group, and the only thing I was worried about as far as post-op is the ability to breathe correctly around those internal incisions. I'll be having my TAH a week from Monday, and don't have any shows scheduled until October 28.

I have a girl friend (also a vocalist) that had a c-section last year, and she will be stopping by to help with breathing exercises. I had planned to ask the doctor about restrictions regarding singing, but the tube and anesthesia never occurred to me.


Thanks!

Yeah so much to think about! They don't realize the correlations between the voice and the girly parts never mind the anesthesia! i would be interested to hear what your friend suggests and wish you luck on your procedure. I hope you keeps us posted.

sincerely,

divetta

La-la-la! (That's me singing to you! )

I'm also a trained singer (church music) and I had absolutely no problems with the general anesthesia. In fact, I didn't even have the scratchy, dry throat that often occurs!

I found that near the end of the time before my surgery, I lost my singing voice just like I did in the end stages of pregnancy (well, I could still sing, but I had no breath control). I'm happy to say that afterwards I was back singing in just a few weeks...

to you. Hope this helps.

I sing acapella (barbershop) and I just noticed an issue with breath control for a few weeks and a little soreness in the abdominal area. This week when we had an entire weekend retreat in the mountains, I felt completely normal. Well, I was a little short of breath sometimes but that was because we were at a high elevation.

Hey mjd2491 and Singsbass,

i am relieved to hear that both of you are doing well and have not had any residual effects that hamper singing and overall health! this makes me feel better.

s to you!

- divetta

Yes, thank you all for the encouragement!

My friend will be coming by to work on basic vocal exercises and deep breathing... Probably much like I did last year with the speech therapist (hoo, hee, haa). I have no formal training, and between incorrect singing and a case of acid reflux I had managed to damage my voice. I also have a nasty case of stage fright, so I have a tendancy to tense up which causes vocal fatigue and coughing.
I'd rather avoid ever letting someone stick a camera up my nose to view my vocal chords again.

It's great to hear from other songbirds!